Montreal Canadiens Unveil Top Six in Preseason Matchup Against the Maple Leafs

PUBLICATION

Julien Trekker
September 28, 2024 (10:58)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Montreal Canadiens unveiled their full roster for tonight's preseason game against the Maple Leafs, giving fans a first taste of the team's official top six.

The Habs and the Toronto Maple Leafs are set to meet on the ice tonight at the Bell Center. Last Thursday, the Leafs ended up winning 2-1 over the Canadiens in Toronto, but the circumstances were much different: what looked like an AHL lineup went to Toronto to face the Leafs' best players.

Things should be different tonight, as the Canadiens announced their full roster for the game.

We'll see what should be the official top six going into the regular season: the first line of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky, as well as Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach, and Patrik Laine on the second.

However, the other lines are going to be interesting to watch.

Indeed, Martin St-Louis decided to put Owen Beck on the third line alongside Joshua Roy and Josh Anderson. As for the third line, he placed three players who didn't shine in the camp: Sean Farrell, Lucas Condotta, and Jared Davidson.

There will be some interesting combinations at the blue line also. The coaching staff decided to put a veteran alongside a younger player, spreading out the experience throughout the defensive unit.

Mike Matheson will play with David Reinbacher, Lane Hutson will skate alongside David Savard, and Arber Xhekaj will work with Logan Mailloux.

Check out the full lines here:

The Canadiens haven't announced any cuts yet, but an announcement should come soon after the end of tonight's game.

Unless they perform incredibly well tonight, players like Sean Farrell, Lucas Condotta and Jared Davidson should be sent down to the AHL. It wouldn't be surprising to see David Reinbacher also included in the cuts, considering the Habs' surplus of defensemen.